According to Steve Zipay of Newsday via Twitter, Zherdev was awarded $3.9 million by the arbitrator. The Rangers now have 48 hours to match or let him walk. In addition, even if the Rangers do match, Zherdev will be a UFA unless he is signed long-term, care to wager if that will happen?
I wrote on Friday, if the award was around $3.5-$3.75 million, then given the current roster construction, who is still out there available in free agency and Zherdev's talent level and potential production, I think the Rangers have no choice but to match. If the figure is close to what Zherdev submitted, despite the arguments I just made, I believe the team will walk away, leaving a big hole in our top-six forwards. In addition if we do match, there is good chance the Rangers will deal him prior to the season opener to free up cap room in order to add a different piece or remove someone they less than enthralled with having on the squad.
So now the question is, given that the figure was between what I thought to match at and what Zherdev requested, and in fact was closer to what he wanted - $4.5 million - than what the Rangers submitted - $3.25 million - what does Sather do? Is the 150K above my high end enough for me to say let him walk? I will reverse course here and say given what's still out there as free agents and the current roster constitution, I believe the Rangers should match but I would not be surprised if they let him walk or match and deal him.
What's your view?
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